Lady Margaret Butler
Kilkenny Castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland, served as the birthplace of Lady Margaret Butler around 1454. She entered the world as the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Butler, the 7th Earl of Ormond, alongside her mother Anne Hankford. Her paternal lineage traced back to James Butler, the 4th Earl of Ormond, and Joan de Beauchamp. On her maternal side, she descended from Sir Richard Hankford, who lived between 1397 and 1431, and Anne de Montagu. This dual heritage placed her at the center of a complex inheritance struggle that would define much of her adult life.
Before November 1469, Margaret wed Sir William Boleyn, beginning a union that produced ten children. Their eldest son, Thomas Boleyn, rose to become the first Earl of Wiltshire through his marriage to Elizabeth Howard, daughter of the Earl of Surrey. Thomas and Elizabeth were the parents of Anne Boleyn, who later became Queen Consort of England as the second wife of King Henry VIII. Through this line, Margaret became the great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth I of England. The couple also had other children including John, Ann, Anthony, Jane, Alice, Margaret, William, James, and Edward, each with their own marriages and fates recorded in historical registers.
The inheritance dispute over the Earldom of Ormond intensified when cousin Piers Butler claimed physical control of the Irish estates backed by the Irish Council. Margaret and her sister Anne argued they were co-heiresses of their father despite Piers asserting rights through the direct male line. In 1520, the King granted Margaret a pardon for alienating Fritwell Manor in Oxfordshire. The conflict remained unresolved until 1528, when Margaret's position strengthened due to her granddaughter's betrothal to Henry VIII and her son Thomas Boleyn's status as the King's adviser. This resolution marked the end of decades of legal contention between rival branches of the family.
From around 1519 onward, an official inquisition declared Lady Margaret to have suffered periods of insanity. These findings rendered her incapable of managing her own estates under the law. The inquiry was documented in Escheator's Inquisitions for Cambs and Hunts during the 30th and 31st years of Henry VIII's reign. Historian W. Rye later published these records in The Norfolk Antiquarian Miscellany, noting pages 319-20 as key evidence. The declaration effectively transferred control of her lands to others while she lived out her remaining years under supervision.
Lady Margaret resided at Hever Castle until her death in 1539, making her the last of the Boleyns to live there. After her passing, the estate was given to Anne of Cleves in 1540. Her lands were subsequently claimed by her only surviving grandchild, Mary Boleyn, and her husband William Stafford. This transfer marked a significant shift in ownership from the direct Boleyn line to collateral relatives who had maintained their claim through marriage alliances. The castle itself would go on to become one of England's most famous historic sites.
Margaret Butler's lineage directly connected her to Queen Elizabeth I of England through her son Thomas and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Howard. Thomas became the first Earl of Wiltshire and fathered Anne Boleyn, who married King Henry VIII. Their union produced Elizabeth I, who reigned for over four decades after her mother's execution. This bloodline linked Irish nobility with English royalty across three generations. The relationship between Margaret and her great-granddaughter remains one of the most documented genealogical chains in Tudor history.
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Common questions
Where was Lady Margaret Butler born and when?
Lady Margaret Butler was born around 1454 at Kilkenny Castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland. She entered the world as the daughter of Thomas Butler, the 7th Earl of Ormond, and Anne Hankford.
Who did Lady Margaret Butler marry before November 1469?
Before November 1469, Lady Margaret Butler wed Sir William Boleyn. Their union produced ten children including their eldest son Thomas Boleyn who became the first Earl of Wiltshire.
When did the inheritance dispute over the Earldom of Ormond end for Lady Margaret Butler?
The inheritance dispute over the Earldom of Ormond ended in 1528 when Lady Margaret's position strengthened due to her granddaughter's betrothal to Henry VIII. This resolution marked the end of decades of legal contention between rival branches of the family.
What official declaration regarding Lady Margaret Butler's mental state occurred from 1519 onward?
From around 1519 onward an official inquisition declared Lady Margaret Butler to have suffered periods of insanity. These findings rendered her incapable of managing her own estates under the law during the 30th and 31st years of Henry VIII's reign.
Where did Lady Margaret Butler reside until her death in 1539?
Lady Margaret Butler resided at Hever Castle until her death in 1539 making her the last of the Boleyns to live there. After her passing the estate was given to Anne of Cleves in 1540.